Acting Colleges and Programs

Acting is probably one of the most desired professions in the world. Across the nation, there is a plethora of hopeful people with fame in their eyes, their sights set on success, and who are considering a career in acting. However there is a smaller, select group of people who are willing to commit to acting as a profession and seek professional acting programs at acting colleges or universities where they can really learn the true technique of the craft and fine tune their skills.

Many universities offer acting classes or dramatic training in separate schools or programs known as acting colleges.  However some are more prestigious than others.  Acting programs should offer acting classes that encompass a full curriculum of drama and theater training. By offering a comprehensive program, actors who graduate from these acting programs will be prepared and trained to handle diverse projects in the industry and further boost their chances of booking acting jobs once they begin their careers.

One of the most famous acting schools in the country is the renowned Tisch School of the Arts, which is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University. Tisch provides an extensive conservatory training in film, theater, and dance for talent seeking a performance arts education. Tisch is best known for its innovative and rigorous program where students train intensely for three concurrent days. Some notable graduates who have studied at Tisch are Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Another notable acting school is The Julliard School also located in New York City at the famous Lincoln Center. Julliard takes a different approach to their acting program and trains their students in several different types of performing arts including music, drama and dance. Julliard also offers a pre-college division in which they train students from elementary, junior high, and high schools. Some famous alumni of Julliard include Val Kilmer, Christopher Reeve, and Laura Linney.

Another notable acting program is the Yale School of Drama at ivy league university Yale University. The Yale School of drama offers more than acting classes, they offer training in set/costume/lighting design, directing, stage management, play writing, sound design, and other careers in the entertainment industry. Despite its versatility, The Yale School of Drama is still a well-known acting school that has produced some of today’s top talent including Meryl Streep, Leiv Schrieber, and Angela Bassett.

Choosing an acting college to attend is a personal choice. An actor must consider their personal preferences along with the reputation and range of the acting classes offered within the program.  By picking an acting program that is right for you, an actor can flourish and go on to have a successful career in the industry.

Actors may also want to consider getting their start at a talent marketing center, to begin their careers. A talent marketing center markets clients directly to acting agencies, or industry professionals, to help them get requests for opportunities in the entertainment industry. InterFACE is a talent marketing center that has helped many actors get their start with top talent agents and managers, and from that point actors can choose to build onto their careers with formal training and acting classes.